Some Oregon families have ordered from the same Chinese restaurant for so long that the menu feels like part of the family history. These are the places where parents now bring their own kids, where the egg flower soup tastes the way it did years ago, and where the booths have seen plenty of birthdays.
This list covers eight long-running Chinese restaurants across the state, from Medford and Bend to Lincoln City, Portland, Eugene, Salem, and Corvallis. Each one is still serving classic dishes like chow mein, crab puffs, and sweet and sour chicken.
If you love a dependable plate and a little old-school charm, save this list for your next road trip or dinner night.
1. Silver Dragon, Medford, OR
© Silver Dragon, Medford, OR
Forty-five years is a long time to keep coming back to one dining room, and some Medford families have done exactly that at Silver Dragon. That kind of loyalty usually says the kitchen and the cleanliness stay steady.
The restaurant sits at 1011 Spring St and serves a mix of Hong Kong, Mandarin, and American Chinese cooking. Family-style dinners are a big part of the appeal, so this is a smart pick when a group wants to share.
Shrimp is a standout here. The fried shrimp comes in large, moist pieces with a balanced batter, and the house chow mein is a popular order too.
Other menu favorites include Coconut Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Sweet and Sour Shrimp, Shrimp Chop Suey, and pot stickers by the eight-piece order. Vegetarians and vegans get full menus of their own.
It opens seven days a week, with weekend hours starting at noon. Weekday mornings are the quietest, while Sunday evenings fill up fast.
2. Chan’s Of Bend, Bend, OR
© Chan’s Of Bend, Bend, OR
Bend has changed a lot over the last few decades, but Chan’s has stayed a favorite for diners who have been eating there for 30 years or more.
You’ll find it at 1005 SE 3rd St, an easy stop whether you live in town or are passing through Central Oregon. The dining room is relaxed and family-friendly, with high chairs and a kids’ menu ready to go.
The menu leans traditional and broad. Kung Pao Chicken, BBQ Pork, Shredded Pork in Garlic Sauce, and chow mein with chicken subgum or pork all make appearances, along with a house dish called Mother’s Chicken.
I’d point first-timers toward the wonton soup and the sesame chicken, both known for generous portions.
There’s no delivery, so plan on dining in or grabbing takeout. Parking is usually plentiful, and a private dining room helps with bigger gatherings.
3. Foon Hing Yuen, Lincoln City, OR
© Foon Hing Yuen, Lincoln City, OR
Beach days on the Oregon Coast work up an appetite, and Foon Hing Yuen sits right on Highway 101 to handle that.
This family-owned spot at 3138 SE Hwy 101 keeps things classic. Lo mein, sweet and sour chicken, and BBQ pork fried rice share the menu with Honey Walnut Prawns and Mongolian beef.
The hot and sour soup is the bowl to know about, with a real spicy kick. Crab puffs, egg flower soup, and pork foo young also have a loyal following.
Lunch is a good value here, with specials that have come in under ten dollars.
One planning tip matters: the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Monday hours end a bit earlier at 8 PM, while the rest of the week runs to 9 PM, and there’s usually plenty of parking.
4. Rainbow Dragon Restaurant, Portland, OR
© Rainbow Dragon Restaurant, Portland, OR
Nostalgia is on the menu at Rainbow Dragon, a place often described as a time machine back to 1970s Chinese food.
That’s a compliment. The family-owned restaurant at 12840 SE Stark St in east Portland has kept its classic American Chinese recipes and its nautical theme, which gives it a look you won’t find in newer spots.
Portions run big and prices stay fair. The staff has a reputation for treating regulars almost like relatives.
The hot and sour soup is a solid starter, and the rest of the menu sticks to the standards people grew up ordering.
Doors open at noon Tuesday through Sunday, and the restaurant is closed Mondays. There’s no delivery, so this one is best enjoyed in a booth.
5. Lok Yaun Restaurant, Eugene, OR
© Lok Yaun Restaurant, Eugene, OR
Ask around west Eugene about dependable Chinese food, and Lok Yaun tends to come up quickly. It has served local families for many years.
The restaurant sits at 3000 W 11th Ave, a busy stretch that makes it an easy lunch or dinner stop. Inside, it’s clean, casual, and known for prompt service and well-made tea.
Portions are oversized, which makes leftovers almost guaranteed. Cashew Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Chicken Chow Yuk, Kung Pao Chicken, and sweet and sour chicken are menu regulars.
Shrimp egg rolls and egg flower soup round out the starters, and a full vegetarian menu covers meat-free diners.
It’s closed Mondays. Friday evening is the busiest window, so a weekday lunch is the calmer bet.
6. Golden Dynasty, Portland, OR
© Golden Dynasty, Portland, OR
Plenty of Portlanders first came to Golden Dynasty with their parents, and now they bring their own kids. That tradition is a big reason it earns a spot here.
Located at 11128 SE Foster Rd, it’s a true old-school Chinese restaurant serving Mandarin and Szechuan dishes alongside American classics. The decor is a bit dated, but the food is the focus.
Honey walnut shrimp, shrimp fried rice, and wonton soup are standout orders. The Golden Dynasty Chow Mein, Yung Chow Fried Rice, lemon chicken, crab puffs, and pot stickers are also on the menu.
Vegetables here come fresh and crisp rather than buried in heavy sauce, and the egg flower soup has real flavor.
Hours run late, until 11 PM Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up.
7. Lum-Yuen Restaurant, Salem, OR
© Lum-Yuen Restaurant, Salem, OR
Big groups have it easy at Lum-Yuen, since the dining room has room for a lot of people at once.
This sit-down restaurant at 3190 Portland Rd NE in Salem serves classic Chinese-American food done right. Expect fresh dishes, large portions, and fair prices.
Lemon chicken and beef with broccoli are signature standards. Egg foo young, pork fried rice, orange chicken, Hunan Shrimp, the Sweet and Sour Combo, and crab puffs also fill out the family-style tables.
Vegans can try the Szechuan Veggie Delight. Lunch specials are a good deal, and the fortune cookies have a witty streak.
Lum-Yuen is closed Mondays and wraps up at 8:30 PM the rest of the week. Catering and a private dining room make it handy for celebrations.
8. China Delight Restaurant and Lounge | Chinese, Corvallis, OR
© China Delight Restaurant and Lounge | Chinese, Corvallis, OR
Hazelnut chicken is a fitting order in Oregon, the state known for hazelnuts, and it’s one of the favorite dishes at China Delight.
The restaurant sits at 325 NW 2nd St in downtown Corvallis. The dining room has quaint decor that many guests find beautiful, and there’s a lounge on site.
Diet-friendly options set it apart. Full vegan and vegetarian menus are available, and there are choices for people avoiding gluten.
Orange chicken, lemon chicken, egg flower soup, and hot and sour soup are classic picks. Portions are ample and prices stay reasonable, which helps explain the mix of families and college students.
It opens daily at 11 AM, with Friday and Saturday hours stretching to 9:30 PM. Delivery and catering are also offered.
From Medford to Corvallis, these eight restaurants prove that a good plate of chow mein never goes out of style. Pick one close to home, or plan a road trip around a few.
Dining and Cooking